LIST: Your guide to the best Fourth of July firework shows in the South

It is officially summer, and that means it’s almost the Fourth of July! We rounded up this list of some of the best firework displays and celebrations to help you make your plans for America’s birthday!

Alabama

Fireworks @ the Fairgrounds – Dothan, AL – Dothan’s Fireworks at the Fairgrounds is a family-friendly festival with tons of entertainment. Filled with local vendors, craft exhibits, food, games, and of course, fireworks, you won’t want to miss this Fourth of July celebration. The gates to this free event open at 5 p.m. on Saturday, June 30th, and the fireworks start at 9 p.m.

Thunder on the Mountain – Birmingham, AL – Each year, Thunder on the Mountain is a highly-anticipated event and one of the largest and most extravagant Independence Day traditions across Alabama. Set in Vulcan Park, the fireworks are designed to illuminate the beloved Iron Man statue. The event will start at 9 p.m. and will be choreographed to a musical soundtrack.

Florida

Sertoma’s 4th of July Celebration – Pensacola, FL – For the 29th consecutive year, numerous Sertoma Clubs are coordinating and hosting a wonderful celebration for the Fourth. The celebration will include the largest fireworks display on the Gulf Coast over Pensacola Bay starting at 9 p.m.

The Key Lime Festival – Key West, FL – Head to Key West to catch some of the best fireworks in Florida. The Key Lime Festival, one of the biggest food festivals in the state, kicks off on June 30th and concludes with an incredible fireworks display.

Georgia

Centennial Olympic Park – Atlanta, GA – The Centennial Olympic Park annual fireworks display and Fourth of July celebration is one of the largest fireworks shows in the Southeast. It will be moving to the International Plaza, the green space between the Georgia Congress Center, Mercedes-Benz Stadium, and Philips Arena due to renovations in the park. The free event has a spectacular showcase of fireworks over the Atlanta skyline, with various forms of entertainment beginning at 7 p.m. and fireworks beginning at 9:45 p.m.

River Street 4th of July Celebration – Savannah, GA – July 4th is always a big celebration in Savannah, with various events and fireworks across town. With live music, family activities, and great seafood throughout the Savannah River, come celebrate Independence Day and enjoy a beautiful fireworks display over the riverfront.

Fantastic Fourth Celebration – Stone Mountain, GA – This year is the 50th anniversary of the Fourth of July fireworks display at Stone Mountain, and Stone Mountain Park is hosting its “Biggest fireworks finale EVER” in honor of Independence Day. The park will be having nightly shows for the first week of July at 9:30 p.m. each night.

Kentucky

Louisville Waterfront Fourth 2018 – Louisville, KY – The Louisville Waterfront Fourth celebration features free music, family activities, a patriotic installation of 15,000 flags, great food, and a wonderful firework display from a barge on the Ohio River.

Louisiana

USS KIDD’s 4th of July Spectacular – Baton Rouge, LA – For over two decades, the USS KIDD has hosted a grand Fourth of July celebration in the downtown Baton Rouge area. The event has great events and attractions throughout downtown, and spectacular fireworks on the Mississippi River.

Go 4th on the River – New Orleans, LA – “Go 4th on the River” is an Independence Day celebration on the historic downtown New Orleans riverfront. The event will feature a fireworks display from two barges over the Mississippi River. The dueling barges display beautiful strokes of light across the sky.

Mississippi

Biloxi 4th of July Fireworks Display – Biloxi, MS – Fireworks shows will light up the skies on the Fourth of July across South Mississippi. The beautiful fireworks display in Biloxi has a beautiful show of explosions over the Mississippi Sound, and can be viewed from the Biloxi Lighthouse in the Bay.

North Carolina

North Carolina 4th of July Festival – Southport, NC– At the North Carolina Fourth of July Festival in Southport, crowds filled with thousands of people line up across the waterfront to watch the brilliant fireworks display over the water. For over 200 years, this small community has celebrated our nation’s independence in a big and special way.

South Carolina

Patriots Point Celebration – Charleston, SC– Does anything beat fireworks on the beach? If you find yourself in South Carolina for Independence Day, Patriot’s Point is the place to be to catch a great fireworks show. You can catch the fireworks from the flight deck of the historic U.S.S. Yorktown, a U.S. Navy aircraft carrier.

Tennessee

Gatlinburg Independence Day Celebration – Gatlinburg, TN – Gatlinburg prides themselves in having the “First Independence Day parade” in the nation, kicking off their festivities at 12:01 a.m. on July 4th. After a day of parades, joy, and fun, the celebrations come to a close at 10 p.m. that night with the spectacular fireworks display in the heart of downtown.

Texas

Addison’s Fireworks in Kaboom Town – Addison, TX – The Addison Kaboom Town has been named one of the top fireworks shows for more than three decades. While waiting for the acclaimed fireworks display, the celebration keeps you busy with a carnival, games, face painting, and more.